13th July, 2000
Last week was another week of excavation in
Douglas, digging up the roads took place on Maryborough Hill,
Donnybrook and Church Street, (opposite St. Luke’s School)
This work was carried out by contractors laying cables for Irish
Multi-Channel. I have no problem with that. What I do have a
problem with is that it seems anybody can put up a set of traffic
lights in the middle of a busy road, take out a kango hammer and
away they go. We telephoned the Douglas Gardai to ask if they
knew what was happening, and whether the contractors had
contacted them. We were told that the contractors must notify and
apply for planning to the County Council to carry out this type
of work, and as a matter of courtesy the council should contact
the Gardai and let them know what is happening.
I am told that if a road is to be closed it must be advertised in
a national newspaper, and according to the County Council that's
all they have to do. How many readers know that next Monday July
17th until Friday 21st, Church Road connecting Donnybrook Hill
with Carrs Hill will be closed? I read the notice in a National
Newspaper, contacted a local councillor who knew nothing about
the planned 5 day closure, a very busy public road. We rang the
Council office in Carrigaline and suggested that they let us know
what is happening. We just happen to think that Douglas people
are entitled to a little common courtesy, and people are going to
be inconvenienced for the week, and they will be major traffic
delays. Perhaps County Hall think that a notice on a national
newspaper is all they have to do, to justify this major road
closure. we offered to put the notice in the Douglas Weekly for
free and not as an advert, just to let people know what's going
to happen next Monday, but then again perhaps County Hall
believes nobody in Douglas reads the Douglas Weekly. The full
details of the road closure are on page 6, we borrowed the
information from a national newspaper.
The Frankfield bus service has finally arrived. I'm afraid we don't
have the time- table as we didn't get it from Bus Eireann,
perhaps they will send it to a national newspaper! Although I did
hear from a reader that children were handing out time- tables to
Mass goers last Sunday outside the church. I trust that all
churches were covered by whoever organised this source of
information. It's not just Roman Catholics that use the bus
service!
Congratulations to the Gannon family on the opening of the
Bohemian. I am told it is fantastic, another fine public house to
add to our list of top class establishments. Deborah from the
Touchdown tells me that they have huge plans in the pipeline for
this well established restaurant and bar. Watch this space.
Not only is Tom Singleton the best general manager that Tesco
Douglas has ever had, but he is also a good snooker player as I
found out on Monday night. Although he caught me on a bad night I
was tired after a long weekend, and Tom had youth on his side.
That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it. I knew I shouldn't have
tried to cross the pink, but then I've always lived life on the
edge. Tom for the re-match, to quote Baldrick in Blackadder,
“I have a cunning plan”
Best of Luck to Sandra of Alexandra's Antiques who has just
opened a beautiful showrooms on the well Road. She stocks a
superb collection of memento's of the past. So why not pay her a
visit.
Isn't the weather the worst we have had for a long time. Watching
the news the other night, I learnt that Scotland was having snow
storms, England was been flooded, so I suppose we are not too bad
in Ireland, Although I do feel sorry for anybody with children in
a caravan park at the seaside. Children need the sun, come to
think of it we all need it.
The weekend sees the start of Ford Cork Week in Crosshaven, and I
must compliment everybody involved in the organisation of this
huge undertaking. Crosshaven is looking beautiful, the roads, the
walk. It's going to be the place to be this weekend and next week.
Don't forget if you are driving, don't drink and enjoy the
weekend. See you there.
Bye for now. Michael.
